Letters to the editor - Dec. 15, 2013

Published: Saturday, December 14, 2013 at 11:52 p.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, December 14, 2013 at 11:52 p.m.

Step down immediately, Mr. Berger

Brian Berger has proven to the citizens of New Hanover County that he is incapable of properly performing the job he was elected to execute.

A government official, whether on the local, state or national level, is called to be a leader and a servant simultaneously. It is in the best interest of the body or bodies they govern to have their personal, emotional and psychological life in check before they are endowed with an administrative position.

Berger has promised that he would serve and make decisions that are in the best interest of New Hanover County.

However, he has been charged twice with driving while impaired – an offense that puts the lives of the people he serves in danger. … Because Berger has continually exhibited poor leadership qualities and has failed to serve the people he is employed to make decisions for, it is my opinion that he should step down from his position as county commissioner immediately.

We need our commissioners' focus on issues pertaining to our government and county, not on the (problems caused by) a fellow commissioner.

Luke Thomas Ball,Wilmington

We've lost our class

There are many definitions of the word class, and the one you apply says a lot about you.

The TV series "King of Thrones" and the princess obsession of Disney capture the class system our country has worked for centuries to end.

The elite, landed gentry of the Old South is being remembered too fondly. Too many in our state believe that money gives people more rights. Our perception that those with money have earned their wealth – and are therefore more intelligent or worthy of our respect – needs to be reconsidered.

Anemic taxation on investments and oppressive minimum wages are symptoms of a divided country.

Undermining infrastructure – including education, transportation and other government services – into the private sector, and out of the middle-class, are not healthy decisions North Carolina residents want to make.

My parents taught class as manners and consideration of others. If voters look carefully at legislation and rhetoric from Raleigh, the majority is not showing class.

Elizabeth Woodside,Wilmington

Police should re-examine priorities

Our law enforcement officials should spend more time arresting punks than drunks. Every week, they issue dozens of tickets for open containers to homeless, indigent people, many of whom end up doing jail time … from two to eight days in jail, because they can't afford the fines (which are normally over $100). This costs the taxpayers hundreds of dollars a day for each prisoner, while filling up jail space that could be used for more serious offenders.

East of Eighth Street – from Dawson to Red Cross streets – drugs and sex are openly sold on many street corners, not to mention the violent crimes and gang activity that occur.

<p class="bold allcaps">Step down immediately, Mr. Berger</p>
<p><a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic9976"><b>Brian Berger</b></a> has proven to the citizens of New Hanover County that he is incapable of properly performing the job he was elected to execute.</p><p>A government official, whether on the local, state or national level, is called to be a leader and a servant simultaneously. It is in the best interest of the body or bodies they govern to have their personal, emotional and psychological life in check before they are endowed with an administrative position. </p><p>Berger has promised that he would serve and make decisions that are in the best interest of New Hanover County. </p><p>However, he has been charged twice with driving while impaired – an offense that puts the lives of the people he serves in danger. … Because Berger has continually exhibited poor leadership qualities and has failed to serve the people he is employed to make decisions for, it is my opinion that he should step down from his position as county commissioner immediately. </p><p>We need our commissioners' focus on issues pertaining to our government and county, not on the (problems caused by) a fellow commissioner.</p><p><b>Luke Thomas Ball,</b> <i>Wilmington</i></p><h3>We've lost our class</h3>
<p>There are many definitions of the word class, and the one you apply says a lot about you. </p><p>The TV series "King of Thrones" and the princess obsession of Disney capture the class system our country has worked for centuries to end.</p><p>The elite, landed gentry of the Old South is being remembered too fondly. Too many in our state believe that money gives people more rights. Our perception that those with money have earned their wealth – and are therefore more intelligent or worthy of our respect – needs to be reconsidered. </p><p>Anemic taxation on investments and oppressive minimum wages are symptoms of a divided country. </p><p>Undermining infrastructure – including education, transportation and other government services – into the private sector, and out of the middle-class, are not healthy decisions North Carolina residents want to make.</p><p>My parents taught class as manners and consideration of others. If voters look carefully at legislation and rhetoric from Raleigh, the majority is not showing class.</p><p><b>Elizabeth Woodside,</b> <i>Wilmington</i></p><h3>Police should re-examine priorities</h3>
<p>Our law enforcement officials should spend more time arresting punks than drunks. Every week, they issue dozens of tickets for open containers to homeless, indigent people, many of whom end up doing jail time … from two to eight days in jail, because they can't afford the fines (which are normally over $100). This costs the taxpayers hundreds of dollars a day for each prisoner, while filling up jail space that could be used for more serious offenders.</p><p>East of Eighth Street – from Dawson to Red Cross streets – drugs and sex are openly sold on many street corners, not to mention the violent crimes and gang activity that occur. </p><p>Perhaps the police should refocus their priorities.</p><p><b>Mike Lewis,</b> <i>Wilmington</i></p>